The New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) directs the city's response to extreme weather conditions. According to the National Weather Service, showers and thunderstorms developing this evening into Monday morning will be capable of producing torrential downpours and damaging winds. The City's Flash Flood Plan has been activated to ensure a quick, effective, and coordinated response to flash flood events. The plan is activated when it is forecasted to rain one inch per hour for the duration of an hour and/or the forecast predicts rainfall of two inches or more.
Flash flooding can occur with little or no warning due to the ity's dense population and paved surfaces. These surfaces do not allow rainwater to be absorbed into the
ground and result in storm drains often being overwhelmed, causing localized flooding. OEM works closely with the NYPD, FDNY, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to mitigate the impact of flash floods.
The activation includes precise weather monitoring to predict when and
where flash floods will occur. OEM deploys Citywide Interagency Coordinators to locations with significant flooding to facilitate coordination and information collection. The Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Sanitation target recurring flood locations for catch basin cleaning and maintenance prior to major weather events. During the event, DOT patrols highways to identify and clear catch basin grates when possible.
This weekend, DEP crews have inspected flood-prone locations throughout the City and ensured that the catch basins are clear of debris and draining properly. Additional crews will be on stand-by to assist with possible storm related issues.